Love rat's lost recourse

Intimate letters sent by Diana, Princess of Wales to her former lover James Hewitt will be read out on a TV documentary tonight.

During the programme, filmed over a six-month period, Hewitt is seen trying to sell the love letters for £10 million and even boasts that the Princess was good in bed.

Channel 4 bosses have defended the decision to screen the programme, James Hewitt: Confessions of a Cad, but Hewitt claims he has been misrepresented.

At one point in the documentary the former Life Guards officer says: "They're doing it (the programme) about me because I'm a complete s*** and we're trying to make me less of a s***." He adds with a laugh: "And it's not working!"

Hewitt says the Prince of Wales would have known about Diana's relationship with him: "I think he would have been told by the security forces and other people who make it their duty to know what other people are doing," he says.

He also claims Charles should have been "grateful" for the five-year affair: "I think he would probably be grateful someone was looking after his wife when he was shagging Camilla Parker Bowles, don't you?" he says.

In one clip, a friend mimics his voice and says: "I've got some letters that are for sale. Princess Diana was one hell of a f***."

A smiling Hewitt says: "It's true. We can cut that, anyway."

He adds: "I never wanted to be a cad, but I guess I am, so, if you've been handed a bunch of lemons, make some lemon juice."

The programme shows Hewitt's lawyer and friend Michael Coleman reading extracts from letters sent to Hewitt when he was serving in the first Gulf War.

The late Princess is believed to have written more than 60 letters to Hewitt between 1989 and 1991.

In one, Diana wrote: "Boy, oh boy, does the earth shake when I get a letter from my desert friend, screams of delight, tears, you name it. Demented female on the loose, that's for sure."

Another said: "Me and the boys think of you lots and pray for your return."But Mr Coleman said last night that the programme was not an accurate portrayal of Hewitt.

"James co-operated fully with the filmmakers over six months and I met with them both in England and overseas," he said.

"They had the opportunity of shooting a great deal of film and, as filmmakers do, they chose parts that make more interesting viewing and do not necessarily create a fair and balanced view of six months in James's life."

It was reported in the Sunday Telegraph that Hewitt had offered to give the love letters to the Prince if he were "invited by the Prince for tea and given the opportunity to discuss this matter in a reasoned way".

It was also reported that Hewitt planned to seek an injunction to prevent the programme being broadcast.

Mr Coleman refused to say last night whether Hewitt would mount an 11th hour legal challenge but Channel 4 said no action had been instigated.

A Channel 4 spokesman said: "Generally we would say there is a value in films that reveal the true nature of people in the public eye."